If you are looking for something fun to do for halloween, why not book a room at one of our great B&Bs; then add on a halloween treat.
First of all, stop in at Georgie Lou's in downtown Carlisle. This retro store has a wonderful selection of retro and halloween candy. See www.georgielous.com
How about seeing a murder mystery? A new restaurant in town, the Pretzel Spot Cafe, is having a murder mystery/dinner on Saturday, 10/29 starting at 5:30 pm. If you are interested call 814-644-9242.
If you want to dress up for Halloween, there is a Halloween party/dance at the Green Door. This is located in downtown Carlisle. There usually is a swing dance lesson from 7:00-8:00 pm and dancing until midnight. Billy and I have danced here many times and it is a lot of fun.
Whatever you do, HAPPY HALLOWEEN.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
INTERESTING FOLLOW-UP
When I wrote my last blog, I was talking about books. This weekend, one of our delightful guests was Thomas Yezerski. Tom is an author/illustrator of children's books. He was born in Lancaster, PA and now lives in New Jersey. He has been illustrating children's books since the late 1990's. He also has written and illustrated 2 books and is now working on a 3rd. It was coincidental that Tom was here over the weekend when the "Celebrate the Book" festival was happening in downtown Carlisle. We enjoyed his visit and perhaps next year, he might be part of the festival.
Check out his website: www.thomasfyezerski.com,
This is another aspect of being innkeepers that Billy and I love. We never know who will be a guest at the Red Cardinal Bed and Breakfast.
Check out his website: www.thomasfyezerski.com,
This is another aspect of being innkeepers that Billy and I love. We never know who will be a guest at the Red Cardinal Bed and Breakfast.
Friday, October 21, 2011
BOOKS
Our guests love to read. I would say about 95% of the guests who come to the Red Cardinal B&B bring a book. Nowadays, some come with their ebooks, but for the most part, it is still a paperback or hardback book that is stuffed into their backpack. It is like packing a toothpaste and make-up for the trip. The genre varies from the Bible, mysteries (most popular), history, and biographies. I enjoy talking with the guests about their choice of reading material, as it is always a good way to get a recommendation.
Some of our repeat guests have their favorite places to browse for books when they are in the area. One such place is Canaday's Book Barn which specializes in old and rare books: www.candaysbookbarn.com. Another popular book store is the Whistlestop book store in downtown Carlisle: www.whistlestopbooks.com. The Cumberland County Historical Society is great for research and they have books about local history at their shop "History on High" which is also in downtown Carlisle: www.cchistsoc.org.
When I am looking for a book, I head over to Bosler Memorial Library in downtown Carlisle, or at a yard sale. I can't believe how many voracious readers there are in my area.
This weekend the second annual Friends of Bosler Library "Celebrate the Book! festival will be held on Saturday, 10/22 at 9:00 am. The best-selling author David Baldacci is the guest speaker. The event is filled with other authors, book-signings, activities for children and a round table discussion for potential authors. See www.celebratethebook.org for more information.
So why not bring a book, stay at one of our great B&Bs and attend "Celebrate the Book". I assure you, it would be a great weekend.
Some of our repeat guests have their favorite places to browse for books when they are in the area. One such place is Canaday's Book Barn which specializes in old and rare books: www.candaysbookbarn.com. Another popular book store is the Whistlestop book store in downtown Carlisle: www.whistlestopbooks.com. The Cumberland County Historical Society is great for research and they have books about local history at their shop "History on High" which is also in downtown Carlisle: www.cchistsoc.org.
When I am looking for a book, I head over to Bosler Memorial Library in downtown Carlisle, or at a yard sale. I can't believe how many voracious readers there are in my area.
This weekend the second annual Friends of Bosler Library "Celebrate the Book! festival will be held on Saturday, 10/22 at 9:00 am. The best-selling author David Baldacci is the guest speaker. The event is filled with other authors, book-signings, activities for children and a round table discussion for potential authors. See www.celebratethebook.org for more information.
So why not bring a book, stay at one of our great B&Bs and attend "Celebrate the Book". I assure you, it would be a great weekend.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
CONCIERGE
An innkeeper wears many hats. One such hat is that of "concierge". Many guests who stay with us at the Red Cardinal Bed & Breakfast come for a particular reason: the Carlisle car show, Dickinson College graduation, a wedding or visiting family. Yet their is time in the schedule when the guests want to go off exploring.
Billy and I like to recommend places that we have visited. So today we went off to find Hunters Valley Winery. The winery is located about 25 miles plus or minus from our B&B. It is up Route 34, which is a direct, scenic ride from our location. When we arrived at the winery, we were pleasantly surprised. It sits out on a hill overlooking the Susquehanna River and Valley below.
Although it was rainy and overcast today, the view was lovely. On a clear day, it must be gorgeous.
We spoke with Shirley Hartz and was surprised to learn that the winery has been in operation for 25 years! Shirley has been working there for 24! We sampled a few wines as we chatted and left with 2 red wines - "Mountain Red" and "Concord".
Pheasant Field B&B has a wine and roses package that includes a trip to Hunters Valley Winery.
If you are in town this weekend 10/22 & 10/23, there is an open house and craft fair.
I would recommend the winery as a destination spot. http://www.huntersvalleywines.com/
As a bonus, you can also take a ferry across the river to Millersburg.
Billy and I like to recommend places that we have visited. So today we went off to find Hunters Valley Winery. The winery is located about 25 miles plus or minus from our B&B. It is up Route 34, which is a direct, scenic ride from our location. When we arrived at the winery, we were pleasantly surprised. It sits out on a hill overlooking the Susquehanna River and Valley below.
Although it was rainy and overcast today, the view was lovely. On a clear day, it must be gorgeous.
We spoke with Shirley Hartz and was surprised to learn that the winery has been in operation for 25 years! Shirley has been working there for 24! We sampled a few wines as we chatted and left with 2 red wines - "Mountain Red" and "Concord".
Pheasant Field B&B has a wine and roses package that includes a trip to Hunters Valley Winery.
If you are in town this weekend 10/22 & 10/23, there is an open house and craft fair.
I would recommend the winery as a destination spot. http://www.huntersvalleywines.com/
As a bonus, you can also take a ferry across the river to Millersburg.
Monday, October 17, 2011
A COUNTRY ROAD
One of the attractions of our bed and breakfast is our location. The Red Cardinal B&B is located on a "country road". Although it is a little over a mile long, it is filled with many interesting neighbors and views that our guests enjoy. Running along side of the is a "mill race". This stream was channeled off the main body of water, the Yellow Breeches Creek, to operate the mill at the head of our street. We have a barn across the street and it provides the guest with a great photo opportunity.
Although the mill is no longer in operation, it is the home and studio of Petra Wirth, one of the premier yoga instructors in the area.
As you continue down Lerew Road, you pass our neighbor's farm. Here they raise beef cattle. The cows provide another great photo opportunity for our "city" guests.
Further along, you pass the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Campbell. This is the home of the "Chimneys Violin Shop". Mr. Campbell is a world renown violin maker and instructor. He has taken in students for years, and when they are finished their apprenticeship, they become certified violin makers, and their skills are in high demand. On a sunny day, you can walk past the "Chimneys" and see the violins drying on the porch. Some of guests have even had the opportunity to have a tour of the shop. For more information: www.thechimneysviolinshop.com
On the other side of the street, is "PJ" Heyman. PJ owns and operates the exquisite Village Artisans Gallery in Boiling Springs. Every item that she sells in her shop is a work of art. Check out: www.villageartisiansgallery.com.
At the end of the road is the Belt Farm. Our friend and neighbor, Patrick Belt has the sweetest corn at the end of summer. Several years ago, he worked with South Middleton Township, to grant an easement along his property so the town could construct a walking trail that connects 2 parks. It is a wonderful extension to the walk along Lerew Road.
Although the mill is no longer in operation, it is the home and studio of Petra Wirth, one of the premier yoga instructors in the area.
As you continue down Lerew Road, you pass our neighbor's farm. Here they raise beef cattle. The cows provide another great photo opportunity for our "city" guests.
Further along, you pass the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Campbell. This is the home of the "Chimneys Violin Shop". Mr. Campbell is a world renown violin maker and instructor. He has taken in students for years, and when they are finished their apprenticeship, they become certified violin makers, and their skills are in high demand. On a sunny day, you can walk past the "Chimneys" and see the violins drying on the porch. Some of guests have even had the opportunity to have a tour of the shop. For more information: www.thechimneysviolinshop.com
On the other side of the street, is "PJ" Heyman. PJ owns and operates the exquisite Village Artisans Gallery in Boiling Springs. Every item that she sells in her shop is a work of art. Check out: www.villageartisiansgallery.com.
At the end of the road is the Belt Farm. Our friend and neighbor, Patrick Belt has the sweetest corn at the end of summer. Several years ago, he worked with South Middleton Township, to grant an easement along his property so the town could construct a walking trail that connects 2 parks. It is a wonderful extension to the walk along Lerew Road.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Spectacular Weekend
This past weekend, our guests were from Silver Spring MD and Hiram OH. Our guests from Maryland were here to get away and to visit the Apple Festival in Biglerville. They came a day early to sit on the porch and enjoy the warm weather. They also managed to visit Canady's Book Barn, Meadowbrooke Gourds and Children's Lake in Boiling Springs. This was a return visit for them and this year they tried Fiddler's restaurant (at Mayapple), Amy's and Piatto's. They liked all of these restaurants for the different cuisine.
Our guests from Ohio were here for a family reunion in Camp Hill. They were in and out and we got to visit with them over breakfast. They too were delighted with the weather. After breakfast, they managed to stroll around the property and Tom got out his camera for a photo shoot. The favorite subject for all of our guests is our border collie, Mollie.
Billy and I had a great weekend with our guests and are complimented when they hesitate to leave.
Our guests from Ohio were here for a family reunion in Camp Hill. They were in and out and we got to visit with them over breakfast. They too were delighted with the weather. After breakfast, they managed to stroll around the property and Tom got out his camera for a photo shoot. The favorite subject for all of our guests is our border collie, Mollie.
Billy and I had a great weekend with our guests and are complimented when they hesitate to leave.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
APPLE FESTIVAL
This weekend is the Apple Festival in Biglerville. The event runs from 10-4 on Saturday and Sunday. Billy and I have enjoyed going each year. There are crafts, music, hay rides and plenty of food. The array of apple dishes includes dumplings, pies and ice cream. It is a short ride from one of our B&Bs to the festival. The weather looks great for the weekend, so why not come and be our guest. For more information on the festival check out the website: www.appleharvest.com
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
ALPACA FARM OPEN HOUSE
Have you ever been to an Alpaca Farm? This weekend 10/8-10/9, there is an open house at the Bent Pine Alpaca Farm in Carlisle, PA. If you want to learn more about Alpacas, there will be seminars, and the owners will be on hand to answer questions. There will be hayrides, music, a fashion show, and it is FREE. Check out the website: www.bentpinealpacas.com.
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